James Pearce shares update on Stefan Bajcetic’s Liverpool return following long-term injury

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Stefan Bajcetic’s last game for Liverpool came in May 2024.The Reds have not had the most ideal start to the new season, but give credit where it is due, they are still only one point behind Arsenal.However, injury concerns are starting to pile up at a worrying rate, with quite a few big stars potentially out of action for a little while.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Giovanni Leoni and Alisson Becker are the confirmed absentees, although the latter will return a lot sooner than the Italian, while Ibrahima Konate could also have a spell on the sidelines depending on the severity of his quad issue.Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have also been worries after picking up problems in the last week or so, although they should be fit enough to feature against Man United.If not, Liverpool’s options in this area are limited, with Stefan Bajcetic one of the few other options who could technically play there instead.But, due to a long-term injury, no Reds fan really knows where he is at in terms of his stage of recovery, that was until journalist James Pearce shared the latest update that is.Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesWhen he first came through at Liverpool aged 17, Bajcetic certainly made a real name for himself and impressed almost every time he got the chance.

Injuries disrupted his progress, though, and meant he could not perform while on loan either, with his career all but coming to a stop ever since.He returned from a brief spell at RB Salzburg in January 2025, with the 20-year-old undergoing hamstring surgery in May, which has ruled him out ever since.Bajcetic is on the road to recovery and is certainly almost there, and journalist Pearce has reported when he thinks he will return.As per The Athletic, he states that the midfielder is continuing his rehab and is back training on grass, but he is on an individual programme. Pearce says that he thinks Bajcetic will get some game time in the Under 21s under manager Rob Page, with a move up to the first team expected afterwards, should everything go well.READ MORE: Steve Nicol believes that Florian Wirtz starting vs Man United depends on one thingHe concludes by saying that in terms of a time frame, he expects the midfielder to play again for the first team in the Carabao Cup, should Liverpool get past Crystal Palace.This season could be make or break for Stefan BajceticThere is no denying his quality, but despite being just 20, Bajcetic’s injury record is truly abysmal.

Being at a club like Liverpool will not help his cause if things continue the way they are either, as they cannot afford to wait around, especially when there are similar players developing every day.So, once he is back fit, the Spaniard really needs to make up for lost time and prove that he can be a part of Slot’s team going forward or else he could find himself being moved on.Endo is also not getting any younger, suggesting the back-up position to Gravenberch will soon be available, although he must compete with the likes of Trey Nyoni and James McConnell.